Writing instrument



F. W. ROLLER, SR

WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 9, 1965 F IG. 3.

if /fd/ l NEN-ron: FRANK W. ROLLER, SR.

AT TYS.

United States Patent O 3,325,851 WRITING INSTRUMENT Frank W. Roiler, Sr., Haddontield, NJ., assignor to The Esterbrook Pen Company, Cherry Hill, NJ., a corporation of New llersey Fiied Sept. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 486,016 Claims. (Cl. 15-563) The present invention relates to writing instruments generally of the type including an ink reservoir and a nib holder adapted to support a writing nib over one end of the reservoir in position to receive ink by capillary action from an ink carrier housed in the reservoir. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved type of nib holder for supporting the nib adjacent one end of the ink reservoir.

An object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument which is characterized by a novel arrangement of parts including a nib holder adapted to accurately and rmly support the nib atv one end of the writing instrument in a manner to resist inward displacement of the nib by normal writing pressure exerted on the nib or outward displacement due to swelling or expansion of the ink carrier.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a writing instrument of comparatively simplified construction which is extremely economical to manufacture and which is ful-ly effective for the purposes intended.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a nib holder characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement which firmly supports the nib in the writing instrument and which is readily removable to permit replacement of a nib when necesary.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a nib holder which is of comparatively simplified construction which is easy to assemble and disassemble in the writing instrument and which in the assembled relation provides venting of the interior of the Writing instrument.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of la writing instrument made in accordance with the present invention are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is -a side elevational view of la writing instrument in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is -an enlarged view partially in section showing the details of construction of the writing instrument of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional lines 4-4 and 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an lenlarged sectional view taken along lines 6 6 of FIG. 2 taken through the ink reservoir;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 7 7 of FIG. 3 showing the cross-section of the front end of the nib holder; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view with parts broken away of the nib holder of the present invention and a writing nib mounted therein.

Referring now tothe drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a writing instrument in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10. The writing instrument 10 includes an elongated hollow barrel 12 open at both yaxial ends which forms an ink reservoir 14 an an elognated ink carrier or iiller 16 housed in the reservoir 14 Iand which is preferably made of a material such as felt capable of storing a large quantity of ink. The ink carrier 16 is of generally circular cross section as shown in FIG. 6 and has a flattened side views taken along 3,325,851 Patented June 20, 1S67 edge portion to provide a longitudinally extending air vent channel 18. The barrel is closed at one end by a tapered plug 20 and mounts at its other end a nib holder 22 which supports a writing nib 24 having its inner end 24a engaging in the ink carrier :16 as shown so that ink iiows :from the ink carrier through the nib 24 to the writing tip 24bby capillary Iaction whereby the writing tip 24b of the nib is always wet with ink. The nib 24, ywhich is of rod-like form, is fairly rigid, yet of a porous nature so that ink may flow therethrough by capillary action. A suitable material for the nib is bonded fibrous material or Ia compacted felt.

The writing instrument may include a cap 30 which frictionally engages over the reduced front end portion 12a of the barrel to cover the writing tip 24b when the instrument is not in use and which is easily detached from the barrel when it is desired to use the instrument. The cap 30, as illustrated, abuts a shoulder 32 on the barrel so that, when it is applied over the nib, the top of the cap is spaced from the writing -tip and does not press against the writing tip 24b.

In accordance with the present invention, the nib holder is characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement whereby the nib may be accurately and rmly positioned so that its inner end contacts the ink carrier to supply ink 'by capillary action to the writing tip which projects beyond the nib holder and includes means preventing the nib being pressed into the reservoir by writing pressure or being displaced outwardly by expansion of the absorbent iiller. The nib holder 22 is so constructed that it may be easily disassembled from the barrel to permit replacement of a nib when necessary or desired and includes means for venting air to the ink reservoir. To this end, the nib holder 22, which is preferably made of nylon or polypropylene,- compari-ses a forward section 40 which is generally cone shaped and a generally cylindrical rear section 42 projecting from the rear end of the cone and which is of a smaller cross section than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the cone to define a shoulder 44 at the juncture of the front and rear sections. The nib holder 22 is provided with an opening 48 of circular cross section extending through the central portion thereof for the full length of the nib holder in which the nib 24 is mounted. The terminal end of the rear section 42 is of reduced cross section .to provide a pilot portion 43 to permit easy insertion into the Aopen front end of the barrel. The rear section 42 of the nib holder is .provided with axially extending diametrically opposed slots 50 deninggaxial air passages communicating with the interior of the barrel, the slots 50 extending forwardly into a portion of the forward cone-shaped section 40 to define radical airpassageways 51. By this slot arrangement the rear section 42 of the nib holder 22 is divided into a pair of opposed lflexible wing segments 42a and 42b. Toward the rear of each of these Wing sections there is provided ar radially inwardly projecting locking rib 52, ythe ribs 52 on the wing sections being diametrically opposed and axially displaced relative to one another as shown in FIG. 5. By this arrangement, when the nib 24 is inserted in the nib holder 22, the wing segments are .pressed radially inward whereby the locking ribs 52 press against the side of the nib and provide a clamping action in the assembled relation of the writing instrument which insures that the nib is not pressed against the ink reservoir by normal writing pressure. Further, the locking arrangement prevents the nib from being pressed `outwardly by swelling or expansion `of .the ink carrier.

In assembling the writing instrument of the present invention, the ink carrier 16 is placed in the reservoir 14 of the barrel 12 from either axial end. Thereafter with the nib holder 22 removed, a nib 24 is slid into the central opening 48 so that the writing tip 24a of the nib projects beyond the forward portion of the nib holder and a portion of the nib projects beyond the rear section of the nib holder as illustrated in FIG. 8. Thereafter, the nib holder 22 is inserted in the forward end of the barrel simply by pressing it into the open axialend thereof, the rear section of the nib holder normally being of a slightly greater cross-section than the opening in the front end of the barrel to provide .a press fit. 'By this arrangement, the wing segments 42a Aand 42h are pressed radially inwardly and the ribs 52 grip the nib and position it firmly in the holder. It is noted that since. the ribs do not extend circumferentially of the opening 48 and since they are diametrically opposed and axially spaced apart, they serve to secure the nib in the holder and do not choke off or interfere with the desired flow of ink through the nib by capillary action. Thereafter, a supply of ink may be deposited through the opening in the rear axial end of the barrel and then the plug 20 .may be pressed into the barrel. The plug then presses the ink carrier 16 against the rear portion of the nib to insure good cont-act between the nib and -the carrier. It is noted that in the assembled relation, air is vented to the interiory of the barrel through the radial and axial passages of the nib holder and up along the space between the carrier and the barrel. If it is desired to replace the nib, the nib holder which frictionally engages in the barrel may simply be removed from the forward end of the barrel and the nib is simply removed and a new nib inserted into the holder.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides an improved writing instrument which is characterized by a novel arrangement of parts whereby the nib is .positioned in the instrument in the manner resisting inward displacement by writing pressure. This protects the ink carrier filler from being compressed or crushed to a point whereby ink transfer would be effected and also prevents outward displacement of the nib due to expansion of the ller which -might also be effected in transfer. The nib holder is simple and easy to insert and is held in the barrel by only a small frictional force so that it may be easily removed when it is `desired to replace the nib. Further, the novel arrangement of parts provides a good air-venting arrangement for effective operation of the writing instrument.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention ,has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a writing instrument including an elongated hollow casing defining an ink reservoir and a filler for ink in the reservoir, a nib holderfor mounting a nib at one end of the casing, said nib holder including a rear section adapted to fit in the one end of the casing and a front section projecting beyond the end of the casing, means defining a bore extending through the front and rear sections for receiving the nib and being of a cross sectional shape conforming closely to the crossV sectional shape of the nib, said rear section being provided with axially extending diametrically opposed slots dividing the rear section into opposed flexible wing segments, means defining a locking rib in each ofthe wing segments which project radially inwardly into the bore, said locking ribs being axially spaced relative tto one another whereby the locking ribs press against the side of the nib and provide a clamping action when the wings are pressed inwardly upon insertion of the nib holder in the one end of the casing.

2. In a writing instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rear section is of smaller cross section than the largest cross section of the front section to define a shoulder at the juncture of said front and rear sections adapted t0 abut the one axial end of the casing to properly position,

the nib holder in the casing.

v3. In a writing instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front section is generally cone shaped and the rear section is generally cylindrical and wherein the axial slots extend forwardly into the cone shaped front section to define radial and axial air passageways in the nib holder.

4. In a writing instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nib holder is made of nylon.

5. A writing instrument comprising an elongated hollow casing defining an ink reservoir, a filler for ink mounted in said reservoir, a cap deta-chably secured over the open rear end of said casing to close one end of said ink reservoir and retain the filler therein, a nib holder for mounting a nib at the end of said casing opposite said rear end, said nib holder including a rear section adapted to fit in the one end of the casing and a front section projecting beyond the end of the casing, means defining a bore extending through the front and rear sections for receiving the nib and being of a cross sectional shape conforming closely to the cross sectional shape of the nib, said rear section being provided with axially extending diametrically opposed slots dividing the rear sectioninto opposed flexible wing segments, means defining a locking rib in each of the wing segments which project radially inwardly into the bore, said locking ribs being axially spaced relative to one another whereby the locking ribs press against the side of the nib and provide a clamping action when the wings are pressed inwardly upon insertion of the nib holder in the one end of the casing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,003,181 10/1961 Rosenthal 15-563 3,003,182r 10/1961 Rosenthal 15--563 3,221,361 12/1965 Cline 15-563 3,308,501 3/1967 'Marsh r 15-563 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WRITING INSTRUMENT INCLUDING AN ELONGATED HOLLOW CASING DEFINING AN INK RESERVOIR AND A FILTER FOR INK IN THE RESERVOIR, A NIB HOLDER FOR MOUNTING A NIB AT ONE END OF THE CASING, SAID NIB HOLDER INCLUDING A REAR SECTION ADAPTED TO FIT IN ONE END OF THE CASING AND A FRONT SECTION PROJECTING BEYOND THE END OF THE CASING, MEANS DEFINING A BORE EXTENDING THROUGH THE FRONT AND THE REAR SECTIONS FOR RECEIVING THE NIB AND BEING A CROSS SECTIONAL SHAPE CONFORMING CLOSELY TO THE CROSS SECTIONAL SHAPE OF THE NIB, SAID REAR SECTION BEING PROVIDED WITH AXIALLY EXTENDING DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SLOTS DIVIDING THE REAR SECTION INTO OPPOSED FLEXIBLE WING SEGMENTS, MEANS DEFINING A LOCKING RIB IN EACH OF THE WING SEGMENTS WHICH PROJECT RADIALLY INWARDLY INTO THE BORE, SAID LOCKING RIBS BEING AXIALLY SPACED RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER WHEREBY THE LOCKING RIBS PRESS AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE NIB AND PROVIDE A CLAMPING ACTION WHEN THE WINGS ARE PRESSED INWARDLY UPON INSERTION OF THE NIB HOLDER IN THE ONE END OF THE CASING. 